Hippy and The Squids are:

Hippy and The Squids’ origins date back to about 2005 when Chris Switzer and Branden Heinemann met while serving aboard a submarine at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. This accounts for the ‘squids’ part of the name. During those first years, they mainly strummed around, banged on some drums and drank drinks. Branden attended a couple of open mics, and Chris a few as well, although not usually together due to opposing schedules.

After a particularly stellar open mic performance one night, Chris was approached by the venue manager and was offered a gig. One thing led to another, and soon Chris was performing his solo act at various locations throughout the region.

By the end of 2009, Branden’s time in the navy was finished. With schedule conflicts out of the way, Branden began to accompany Chris during live performances. Chris would conduct his usual solo performance, while Branden backed him on the drums.

One day, as Branden was getting ready for a show, he discovered that his drums were out of commission and appeared to be down for the count. With only a few hours before showtime, there was no time to find a replacement drum set. Chris suggested to Branden that he might try an instrument recently put on display at a local music shop, called the Cajon (Ka-hone). Essentially, it's a wooden box used for percussion. They were cheap and available at a local store. After the first performance with the Cajon it was clear that there was something very special about this wooden box, and it became the standard mode of percussion.

Throughout this time, the pair were hesitant to be booked under any particular band name, and instead chose descriptions such as “Chris Switzer - Branden Heinemann acoustic duo.”

Around this same time, Chris met Kevin Fraser while playing a solo acoustic show. Kevin had his bass guitar with him and he offered to join Chris on stage.

Chris was interested in seeing what this old hippy looking guy sounded like, so he accepted the offer. It was immediately apparent that Kevin was one of those musicians with the ability to jump into a completely unfamiliar song and get into the groove within seconds. Having had difficulty meeting a bass player with the right stuff, one had just fallen out of the sky! Suddenly, there was a hippy and a couple squids playing music together. Thus, Hippy and The Squids were born. The rest is history.

Chris Switzer Sings and plays guitar. He is a native of Osceola, Wisconsin. He began playing piano at a young age, learning pieces by Beethoven and playing them at his grandma’s church. He later picked up classical guitar and began playing a variety of music. Chris studied guitar in the early 90’s at MusicTech, now known as the McNally Smith College of Music, in St. Paul, MN. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy submarine force and was stationed in Kitsap county in 1997. With a well honed voice suitable for a wide variety of music and years of experience playing in a wide variety of venues, Chris’s sculpting of acoustic songs throughout the years has provided the backbone of the H.A.T.S. sound.

Kevin Fraserplays bass guitar. He is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A 30 year veteran of numerous sessions, including such luminaries as Bonnie Raitt, Ansley Dunbar, Eddie Money, Johnny Barbata (Jefferson Starship), Mike Hossack (Doobie Bros.), Kevin has also shared the stage with the greats opening for Dave Mason, Dan Hicks, Pat Simmons, and Gene Parsons among many others. Kevin has also worked with other Northwest bands, such as the Crazy Texas Gypsies and Mr. Blackwatch.

Branden HeinemannPlays percussion for Hippy and The Squids. He is a native of Hayward, Wisconsin. Branden began playing drums in band class during junior high school. He began picking up the guitar at the same age, learning by listening and playing along to classic 90’s albums. Branden attended High School in Roseburg, Oregon, where he enlisted in the U.S. Navy submarine force. After being stationed at naval base Kitsap-Bangor in 2004, he began to focus on digital audio recording and song writing. With a unique style of playing the cajon, Branden provides the driving beat and rhythmic punctuation to the groove put down by Kevin.